Arsenic release provided by MTA and Portland cement

Objective. The aim of the present study was to determine the release of arsenic from 2 gray Portland cements, a white Portland cement, and 2 MTAs (ProRoot and MTA-Angelus). Study design. The materials were manipulated and placed in plastic tubes, and the tubes were immersed in glass flasks containing water with grade reagent, pH 5.0. After 3 and 168 h, the water in which the material had been immersed was analyzed regarding the presence of arsenic by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with hydride generation. Results. The levels of arsenic released were similar for Portland cements and MTAs, and were well below those considered to be harmful. Conclusions. MTA and Portland cements showed very low arsenic presence. The results suggest that MTAs and Portland cements are safe for use in clinical practice in terms of the presence of arsenic.